Multi-compartment package for reactive compositions

ABSTRACT

A package or container with three independent compartments, sealed from each other, with the package being formed of two Vshaped webs of heat seal responsive packaging material with one inserted into the other and a heat seal is provided around the periphery of the package.

[ June 24, 1975 United States Patent 1 Glas [54] MULTl-COMPARTMENTPACKAGE FOR 3,124,825 3/1964 Iovenko 206/484 REACTIVE COMPOSITIONS [75]Inventor:

Willi Glas, Renningen, Germany Primary Examiner-William Price Assignee:Fr. Hesser Maschinenfabrik AG, Assistant Examiner ])oug1as pStuttgart-Bad Cannstatt, Germany Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Edward E.Sachs Mar. 12, 1973 [22] Filed:

[2]] Appl. No.: 340,471

ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 16, 1972Germany.................... 7209949[U] A package or container with threeindependent compartments, sealed from each other, with the package beingformed of two V-shaped webs of heat seal re- [52] US. Cl. 229/56;206/484; 206/219 B65d 31/12; B65d 73/00; B65d 77/00 [51] Int. Cl... [58]Field of Search sponsive packaging material with one inserted into theother and a heat seal is provided around the periphery of the package.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,047,745 7/1936 229/56 4Claims, 1 Drawing Figure PATENTED JUN 2 4 I915 1 MULTI-COMPARTMENTPACKAGE FOR REACTIVE COMPOSITIONS The invention relates generally to apackage or container and, more particularly, to a package which hasseveral compartments that are sealed off from each other to avoidcontact between the respective contents.

In the photo-chemical industry, it is at times necessary to separatecertain liquid and/or powder compositions untilthe time of use, eitherdue to their rapid reaction when mixed or their limited shelf life whenin a mixed condition. Examples of such photo-chemical materials aresulfate of methyl-p-aminophenol, sodium bisulfite, and sodium carbonate.The manufacture and filling of such multi-coinpartment packages orcontain ers poses numerousproblems when such process is to proceed withmodern, ultra-high-sp'eed packaging machinery. It becomes thereforeimportant to minimize the number of steps required and yet to provide apackage which will provide structural integrity between the individualcompartments so as:to preclude any premature mixing of reacting orreactive materials.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide acontainer which can be readily manufactured by means of automaticpackaging machinery utilizing continuous webs of packaging material.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a packagehaving three separate compartments each containing a different materialand in which all of the materials are separated, if desired, withliquid-tight integrity from any other material.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide acontainer for reactive multi-component compositions which is composed ofa packaging material which is heat seal responsive.

An aspect of the present invention resides in the provision of a packagefor reactive multi-component compositions having a multi-layersandwich-like construction composed of a first heat seal responsivesheet-like packaging material initially folded lengthwise substantiallyin V-shape form and a second heat seal responsive material constitutinga dividing wall also initially folded lengthwise in substantiallyV-shape form and disposed in substantially parallel relationship withinthe opening of the first packaging material. A first continuous sealextends all along the fold line or edge to bond or adhere together theadjacent surfaces of the first and second flexible material, a secondand third continuous seal extends more or less at right angle to thefirst seal joining at one end the first seal and being axially spacedrelative to each other, and a fourth seal extends substantiallyvertically spaced parallel to the first seal and between and connectingto the second and third seal with all of the seals being ofsubstantially identical construction to effect the establishment ofthree sealed and separated compartments each containing a dissimilarreacting or reactive material.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherand further objects thereof, reference is had to the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and itsscope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

The single FIGURE drawing is a fragmentary, perspective view of thepackage or container including the inner compartments thereof.

Referring now to the drawing there is shown a package 1 composed of heatseal responsive packaging material such as sheet-like flexible plasticformed of cellophane, polyethylene, acetates, polyvinyl and the like.The prime criteria for selection of such materials being that they willlend themselves to the process of making the package herein describedand in which the contents of the individual compartments which aredescribed below will be compatible with the plastic sheet material.

The package 1 is composed initially of two webs (not shown as such) ofpackaging material 5' and 6, respectively, which have been superimposedupon each other and which are either folded together along theirlongitudinal mid-center, or are folded independently along the centerwith the web 6 being inserted into web 5 in a substantially parallelrelationship. The folding as above mentioned is to create webs ofsubstantially V- shaped form so that one web may suitably be insertedinto or superimposed upon the other. In any event, however, each suchweb is caused to have a fold line which assures a substantiallysymmetrical alignment between the two V-formations and a simplicity ofoperation.

In this position, the outer surfaces of the web 5 constitute,ultimately, the outer walls of the package 1 to be formed, whereas theinner walls 6 constitute dividing walls or diaphragms. In order tocomplete the package prior to filling the package with the content, aliquid tight seal 9 is established, if desired, by conventional heatseal jaws or the like (not shown), all along fold line 7 to bond orotherwise adhesively adhere together the adjacent surfaces on the bottomof the sheetlike walls 5 and 6 in order to press together these wallportions at the base of the V to establish the seal or seam 9 providingfluid tight integrity between the bonded or otherwise secured contactsurfaces and along the bottom of the package as aforesaid.

In order to establish three compartments 2, 3 and 4, separated by sealswithin the package, the webs 5, 6 of packaging material are thenprovided with a second and third seal 8 and 10, respectively, whichextend essentially at right angle to the first seal 9 with the seals 8and 10 being suitably spaced lengthwise along the web of packagingmaterial. It will be appreciated that the angularity may be varied,somewhat, without deviating significantly from the main aspect of theinvention and, the term at right angle is to be interpreted and used inthis context.

Automatic packaging machinery makes it possible to apply the seals orcontact surfaces simultaneously. In any event, however, the primepurpose and intent of seals 8 and 10 is again the same as that of seal 9to bond together along a relatively narrow seal or seam line theadjacent surfaces of the four walls or webs 5 and 6.

The package is now ready for filling and thereafter a fourth seal 11 isapplied at the top of the package, i.e., in a parallel relationshiprelative to the longitudinally extending seal 9 and vertically spacedtherefrom. The seal 11 being again of the type as aforediscussed withrespect to seals 8, 9 and 10 and jointly they circumscribe the area ofthe compartments 2, 3 and 4. The foregoing establishes a completelyclosed, liquid-tight package with three separate compartments 2, 3 and4, and with each compartment having liquid-tight integrity relative tothe other so that assimilation or a mixture between either powder orliquid materials within the multi-compartments is prevented until thecompartments are intentionally pierced for mixing.

The sub-dividing or cutting of the webs 5, 6 into individual packages 1,can be accomplished either prior to the application of seals 8, 9 and'10 and before the individual compartments are filled, or after thecompartments'have been established by the application of heat seals 8, 9and 10.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be thepreferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the invention, and it is aimed,therefore, in the appended claims to cover all such changes andmodifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A package for reactive multi-component compositions having amulti-layer sandwich-like construction composed of a first heat sealresponsive packaging material initially folded lengthwise substantiallyin V- shape form, a second heat seal responsive material constituting adividing wall also initially folded lengthwise in substantially V-shapeform and disposed in substantially parallel relationship within theopening of the first packaging material;

a continuous first seal extending all along the fold line to bond oradhere together the adjacent sur- 4 faces at said fold line of the firstand second flexible material;

a continuous second and third seal extending substantially at rightangle to the first seal and axially spaced relative to each otherjoining at one end said first seal;

and a continuous fourth seal extending substantially vertically spacedparallel to said first seal and between and connecting to said secondand third seal, all of said seals being of substantially identicalconstruction and located as a margin along the periphery of the package;each of the packaging material surfaces facing each other establishing,except for the seal areas, a non-adhesive relationship to provide threeseparate and sealed compartments each for containing a dissimilarreacting material.

2. A package according to claim 1, wherein the V- like shaped form ofthe first and the second material each has a folding edge proximate tothe bottom of the V, and each said folding edges are in substantiallyabutting relationship.

3. A package according to claim 1, wherein said first and secondmaterials are formed from a continuous web of packaging material.

4. A package according to claim 1, wherein said package consists of twoouter walls formed of said first material and two inner walls of saiddividing wall.

1. A package for reactive multi-component compositions having amulti-layer sandwich-like construction composed of a first heat sealresponsive packaging material initially folded lengthwise substantiallyin V-shape form, a second heat seal responsive material constituting adividing wall also initially folded lengthwise in substantially V-shapeform and disposed in substantially parallel relationship within theopening of the first packaging material; a continuous first sealextending all along the fold line to bond or adhere together theadjacent surfaces at said fold line of the first and second flexiblematerial; a continuous second and third seal extending substantially atright angle to the first seal and axially spaced relative to each otherjoining at one end said first seal; and a continuous fourth sealextending substantially vertically spaced parallel to said first sealand between and connecting to said second and third seal, all of saidseals being of substantially identical construction and located as amargin along the periphery of the package; each of the packagingmaterial surfaces facing each other establishing, except for the sealareas, a non-adhesive relationship to provide three separate and sealedcompartments each for containing a dissimilar reacting material.
 2. Apackage according to claim 1, wherein the V-like shaped form of thefirst and the second material each has a folding edge proximate to thebottom of the V, and each said folding edges are in substantiallyabutting relationship.
 3. A package according to claim 1, wherein saidfirst and second materials are formed from a continuous web of packagingmaterial.
 4. A package according to claim 1, wherein said packageconsists of two outer walls formed of said first material and two innerwalls of said dividing wall.